AMTA Continuing Education Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions

Membership-Focused

What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for Professional membership?

"Beginning with the first full year of Professional Active membership, a member is required to complete 48 clock hours of continuing education every 4 years or provide NCBTMB or NCCAOM-ABT certification and expiration date for renewal as a Professional Active member of AMTA."

Educational programs used to fulfill this requirement must meet the following general description: "an organized education experience directly related to massage therapy, which is offered under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction." These may be experiential learning, theoretical or research in nature.

Responsible sponsorship includes:

  • AMTA sponsored education
  • Home study courses
  • National—massage schools
  • Regional—workshop programs
  • Chapter—NCBTMB approved programs
  • Unit—individual instructor (please check instructor qualifications)
  • Colleges and universities

It is the member's responsibility to find an appropriate continuing education course. This offers the greatest flexibility in choosing a course that meets the member's needs.

Why are CE hours required of active Professional members?
AMTA's leadership, as many other leaders in professional associations, recognizes the value and importance of on-going, continuing education for its members. And, according to the 2009 Massage Industry Research Report members must also see the value and importance because '9 out of 10 massage therapists participate in ongoing continuing education and ninety-two percent of massage therapists who responded to the 2008 AMTA Industry Survey took continuing education classes in 2008.' Professional education is beneficial to every massage therapist and important for clients.
What are the CE requirements if I become an inactive member?
If a member becomes inactive, the individual is not required to complete continuing education. The person's continuing education requirement starts over when the person resumes active status; and the member will need to complete 48 CE hours four (4) years from that point in time. Hours previously earned cannot be used towards the new four (4) year period.
Is AMTA an NCBTMB Approved Provider?
Yes, American Massage Therapy Association is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. The AMTA NCBTMB Approved Provider number is 024237-00.
How can I become an AMTA approved provider?
AMTA does not review or approve courses or providers. Individuals or organized that wish to pursue being an approved provider should contact the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) at www.ncbtmb.org.

When do I submit my CE hours?
Members may submit their CE hours during membership renewal or when a course is complete. We recommend that members not wait until the end of the four (4) year period to submit the CE hours. For your convenience, please use the on-line form to submit the completed course (es).
Where do I find CE courses?
AMTA offers online courses through its Center for Continuing Education and there are also courses available through the local chapter. Additionally, a list of courses is available through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork at NCBTMB.
Does AMTA approve courses?
AMTA does not approve continuing education classes. Rather, AMTA provides a definition of the types classes that are acceptable for the AMTA CE requirement. It is the members' responsibility to ensure that a class meets the definition (see general description)
Does AMTA require a specific number of CE hours in ethics, business or the modalities?
AMTA does not require a specific number of CE hours in ethics, business, or the modalities.
How can I submit my hours?

There are two ways that members can submit their CE hours. Members can write in their course information on the back of their renewal form. The other manner is online.

Members do not need to submit documentation or verification of course completion unless audited by AMTA.

I successfully completed a 3 semester hour college course. How many CEs is it worth?
The number of CEs awarded for a completed semester hour college course is based on the number of in-class hours. Thus, a 3 hour semester course is 3 times the number of weeks in the semester, which is typically 8, 15, or 16 weeks long.
When I tried to access my CE transcript, it asked me to login. What are my member ID and my password for the AMTA web site?

All Professional Active members have access to the AMTA member side of the web site.

To login to the AMTA member side, please enter your AMTA member ID number in the 'Member ID' field; then enter your last name as the 'password'.

If you do not know your AMTA member ID number, please check your membership ID card or one of your issues of mtj (Massage Therapy Journal). You can also contact AMTA at info@amtamassage.org and request your member ID number.

My AMT CE transcript is incorrect. How can I correct it?
Members can email AMTA at info@amtamassage.org regarding their CE transcript. Please provide the following information: your name, member ID number, the incorrect information and the correct information. An AMTA representative will follow-up on your request.
I have more than the required 48 CE hours during this four year period. Can I use the extra CE hours toward the next four year period?
All 48 CE hours recorded in a member's transcript must have occurred within the four year timeframe. Additional hours above the 48 required CE hours from the current or previous four year period cannot be used or rolled over to the next four year period.
How can I use my NCB national certification to fulfill my AMTA continuing education requirement?

The National Certification Board (NCBTMB) requires that certificants complete 48 hours of continuing education every four years. For Professional members who are nationally certified as well, AMTA will accept the NCBTMB's certificate number and expiration date as proof of completing continuing education. The renewal dates for both organizations do not have to be the same.

Professional members can submit their NCB information the same way they would submit other CE hours. A member can input their certificate number and expiration date online or they can fill in the information on the back of their renewal form.

I have served as either an instructor or a teaching assistant. Do I qualify for CE hours when I am teaching?
Neither an instructor nor a teaching assistant are eligible to claim CE hours for the time they serve as a teacher.
I have been sick, or unemployed, or caring for family and haven't been able to complete my CE hours. Can I get an extension of the continuing education requirement?
AMTA active professional members are given four (4) years to complete their CE requirement of 48 CE hours. AMTA conducts random audits of the CE transcripts of the Professional members to ensure compliance. If audited and a member has not completed the required 48 CE hours, the member is contacted and given a nine month grace period to obtain the required number of CE hours. An explanation as to why the member was unable to comply with the requirement will be considered in granting an extension. Waivers are not considered.
My membership is due but I haven't completed my CE hours. What happens to my membership status?

AMTA will not automatically drop a member if the CE hours are not completed within the four (4) year period. AMTA conducts random audits of the CE transcripts of the Professional members to ensure compliance. If audited and a member has not completed the required 48 CE hours, the member is contacted and given a nine month grace period to obtain the required number of CE hours. An explanation as to why the member was unable to comply with the requirement will be considered in granting an extension. Waivers are not considered.

We suggest that you renew your membership even if you have not completed the CE hours.

Course Inquiries

Does a class on a modality (i.e., Lomi Lomi, Reiki, acupressure, etc) count toward the 48 CE hours required?
Yes, AMTA accepts classes in all hands-on massage modalities for continuing education. The class must fulfill the guidelines as follows: Educational programs used to fulfill this requirement must meet the following general description: "an organized education experience directly related to massage therapy, which is offered under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
I use aromatherapy in my practice. Can I take classes in it for CE credit?
AMTA will accept a course in aromatherapy if it impacts your practice. Please note that in the event that you are audited, you will have to be able to explain how a course would impact your practice.
I took an all-day class, but the certificate says that it's worth .6 CE Hours. Does this mean I get less than an hour of credit for it?
Sometimes other organizations translate 10 hours to mean 1 CEU. AMTA's definition of a CE hour is the amount of time you spend in class. The member would be eligible for 5 CE hours for this course.
Is CE credit given for a QuickBooks for Small Businesses course?
Yes, AMTA will accept classes that assist the member in starting and maintaining your practice, including business development courses.
Does AMTA accept First Aid or CPR classes for CE credit?
While these courses are worthwhile and important, AMTA does not accept either First Aid or CPR classes for continuing education credit as they are not specifically related to massage therapy.
Are online courses or video courses acceptable for CE credit?
AMTA will accept an online course or a video-based course if it involves some type of instructor evaluation. Typically this means that there is a test with the online course or video, and once the test is passed, a certificate is issued to the participant. If the video or online course does not include some kind of evaluation or confirmation of completion, AMTA will not accept it for CE credit.
Can a seminar on spiritual healing count toward the CE requirement?
Any educational programs used to fulfill this requirement must meet the following general description: "an organized education experience directly related to massage therapy, which is offered under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction." These may be experiential learning, theoretical or research in nature. Please be aware that in the event that you are audited, you will have to be able to explain how a course impacts your practice.
Are courses in yoga stretches acceptable for CE credit?
Yes, AMTA accepts classes in movement and stretching techniques for continuing education.

Finding or Offering a Continuing Education Class

How can I find a course in a massage therapy modality, ethics, or business?

There are several ways to locate a course. The sources include:

  • Enroll in AMTA's online courses
  • Visit AMTA's shopping mall for home study courses
  • Review the advertisements in mtj (Massage Therapy Journal) to find seminars and home study courses.
  • Check with your AMTA chapter to find out if they are offering courses or if they have a listing of local courses. Chapter contact information is located on AMTA's member side, under Chapters.
  • Search AMTA's Learn 'N Earn Calendar for classes in your area.
  • Search the NCBTMB Approved Provider list for providers in that specialty at NCBTMB.
Where can I find the educational opportunities provided by my AMTA Chapter?
On the member side of AMTA's web site, under the Chapter Center, there is a list of the chapter, office, contact information.
How do I get approved by the AMTA?

AMTA does not approve CE courses or providers. If the course meets the definition of continuing education, it is accepted and can be submitted on your CE transcript.

Providers cannot state that their course is AMTA approved.

Providers who are interested in being an approved provider can contact the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)

How can I get my course accepted for credit in Florida?
Please contact the Florida Board of Massage Therapy directly to find out their requirements for continuing education providers. Their website and contact information is available on AMTA's web site.
I have a continuing education question that isn't addressed in the FAQs. Who do I contact?
We welcome any further questions regarding continuing education. Please contact the professional development area at mic@amtamassage.org.